Shoe construction



' March 26, 1946.

w. A. EVANS SHOE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1944 March 26, 1946. w. A. EVANS SHOE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1944 Patented Mar. 26, 1946 2,397,413 CONSTRUCTION,

William Alfred Evans, 'Melfort, Saskatchewan,

' Canada Application October.,23, 19114;, Serial No. 559,293,.

1 Claim.

This invention relates to footwear and more specifically to the construction of shoes or boots whereby the circulation of air within the shoe is enhanced by mechanical means.

It is a well known fact that footwear, particularly rubber soled footwear, becomes exceedingly hot, causes great discomfort and may aggravate foot trouble during warm weather. -Many devices to provide proper circulation within the shoe have been attempted, the mostnotable being the perforated shoe wherein the shoe upper is honey combed with small perforations. This device permits air to enter the shoe but fails to entirely meet the objectionable characteristic because thereis no forced circulation. In addition the shoe is impracticable for children or under working conditions because sand or dust particles of allkinds readily pass through the perforations into the shoe.

This invention has for its principal object the provision of a shoe which causes air currents or the circulation of air around the foot of the wearer. I have shown two embodiments of the invention substantially similar as to principles of operation.

Another object of the invention is to utilizethe alternating pressure of the foot on the inner sole and heel of the shoe to set up the air currents to the end that no foreign agent is necessary to bring about the desired results other than the shoe structure itself of course.

Still another object of a specific embodiment of the invention is to provide a circulating curprovide a structurally simple, durable and com- I paratively inexpensive shoe of the character set forth.

With the above noted and other objects in view which may appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the novel construction,.

combination and arrangement of corresponding parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view shown partly in section of a shoe constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2; is, asectional view, taken along the .line ,Fisure-l-.

i 3 i adevetiee l iewvf a mo i e construction shown partlyinsection.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 44' of .Figure3. v n

Fig. 5'is a detailed view of-the toe portion shown Figure 3'- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view ofa shoeconstructed according to Figures, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of the heel portion construetedaccording to. Figure 3.

Referringlmore in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views it will be seen that the invention of Figures 1 and 2, consists of-a shoe upper l0, of any suitabledesign and materials, Broadly speaking the upper is secured to the sole in the usual way, due regard being given to-the materials used, none of which areunknownto, the .art of shoe manufac turing.

The inner sole H, to which the upper is secured consists of acorded rubber member of suitable shape through which a great number of relatively. large perforations l2; are out. It is advisablesthat the, perforations be as large as possible although necessary that they be limited in size so that they will cause no annoyance to the sole of the wearers foot.

The outer sole and outer heel of this type of shoe are formed integral, with the instep recessed slightly if at all. The material consists of a sponge rubber intermediate portion I3, having a processed air-tight outer wall 14. The outer wall may consist of an air-tight skin vulcanized to the sponge rubber. A standard hard rubber outer portion I5, is joined to the portion 13, to protect the sponge rubber and to provide an efficient tread for the shoe. The various components are or may be vulcanized together or joined in any suitable manner according to the dictates of known manufacturing methods.

The device functions in the following manner:

While walking, when the shoe is placed on the ground the pressure on the sponge rubber l3, caused by the weight of the person being centered on that foot, forces the air out of the air cells in the sponge rubber, through the perforations 12, 013 the inner sole l l, and around the foot of the wearer. When the shoe is raised from the ground the pressure on the sponge rubber is removed and a partial vacuum set up in the said rubber causing the air in the shoe (and to an extent, air from outside the shoe) to pass back throughthe perforations into the air cells of perforations. From the foregoing it will be seen that a continuous circulation of air is set up within the shoe during the progressive raising and lowering of the shoe to and from the ground surface, 7 v

In the'modjfication shown inFigures 3 to 7, inclusive, the device consists of the usual upper I0, of any desired material and design. The

sole l 6, which is substantially similar to the inner sole of Figure 1, including the perforations l2. The exception resides in the additional air'passages l7, disposed in the toe portion of the inner sole which permit air from the interior of the 2,397,413 g r s;

ing, protective cover 22, is provided to support and protect the tube l8. 7

The invention of Figure 3 functions in the following manner:

While walking, when the shoe is placed on the ground the pressure on the heel of the shoe causes the air in the cells of the sponge rubber memher to be expelled through the perforated inner is expelled through the air passages ll.

upper is secured in the usual Way to an inner. pressure rolls forward to the ball of the foot of sole and into the shoe, the pressure progressively rolls forward and a considerable amount of air the wearer a partial vacuum is set up in the heel i'ithis member. 7

, strong enough to remain rigid when air is passshoe to pass through to the outside. The construction and arrangement of the air passages" are most clearly seen in FiguresS and ,6. The outer sole and heel of this construction is similar to the construction of Figure 1, consisting of an intermediate sponge rubber portion I3, and an outer hard rubber portion l5, all secured together in the usual manner. V f

1 An' air-tight sleeve, preferablya relatively hard rubber sleeve I8, is disposed down the back 01' heel portion of the upper and is secured to the inner sole I6, and to the sole l5, at [9, and 26, respectively, the intervening side areas are cemented or attached in any suitable air-tight manner to the sole l3; thus the mouth of the tube l8, encloses anarea of the said sole I 3. It is important to note that the wall of the sole l3, enclosed in the mouth of the tubeis not airtight to the end that air passing through the tube I8, will enter the air cells ofrthe sponge rubber sole I3. 'A one way valve 2|, is disposed in the tube l8, to the end that air may be drawn 7 into the said tube but will not be permitted to escape out of the tube. I have showna simple and relatively ef icient valve consisting of two portion of the sponge rubber sole I3, and air is drawn through the tube I8, to fill the air cells of The walls of the tube must be ing therethrough. The shoe is lifted then replaced to the ground whereupon the action is 7 repeated thus causing a circulation of fresh air through the shoe as each step is taken;

It is believed that the construction and advantages of the structure show n may be apparent from the foregoing paragraphs taken'in conjunction with the accompanying drawings without further detailed description.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it is understood that minor changes in the construction, combination and flaps formed integral with the inner wall of the 7 tube which will 'bend downward against the said wall but will not bend upward; when air forces the flaps upward their free ends abut ina substantially' air-tight manner. 'Anouter reinforcarrangement of co-operating parts may be rewithout departing from the spirit of the invention./ 7

I claim: p

A shoe construction'comprising an upper, an

.inner sole having a series of perforations therethrough, an outer sole, a relative thick resilient cellular sole disposed intermediate the inner and outer soles and having an air-tight outer wall, passages through the forward end of the inner sole establishing; communication between the inside of the upper and the atmosphere, an air inlet tube extending vertically of the rear end of said upper and connected at its lower end with said intermediate sole and a one way flap; valve inihe pper end of said mp8,. H

' EvaNs. I

Asthe' 

